Hi,

I've picked up an easy 3D modeler program called CB Model Pro which saves models as OBJ  files with the material separately saved as a .mtl file. I can import the model into Vue 4.2 but can't load the material. It only seems to accept .mat files. Is there any way I can set Vue 4.2 up to accept these .mtl files? Alternatively, are there any other programs available (hopefully freeware) that would allow me to convert .mtl to .mat?

Thanks, Kevin

Hi Kevin,

CB Model Pro is a neat little modeler :)
If you painted your model in CB and exported the .obj, you got a
file.obj and a file.mtl
The .mtl contains the UV references linked to the object.
It will tell the renderer where to apply a texture bitmap on the object.
The .mtl is not a material by itself it contains only references.

In Vue, you need to change the 'Coloring mode' to 'Mapped picture' (instead of default procedural)
then load the file.bmp that CB Model Pro created for your object. (you will find it in the same folder as the object itself)
Mapping mode must be 'Standard'
Alas, there is a glitch with Vue4.22 build 268494 (last official build) and the texture map will probably not be applied correctly
(in Vue5 it is OK)
There are several ways to get this right.

one of them is to use MeshLab (open source freeware)
http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/
Load the object in meshlab and save it as .3ds
Now Vue4 should load your object with the texture applied.

Another one would be to load the object in in UVmapperPro and save it under another name.

Yet another way would be to use a conversion software like
Accutrans 3d (free 30 days demo )
http://www.micromouse.ca/
Load the object and save it as .obj

There are probably other conversion apps that could 'repair' the mapping glitch.

hope this could help...

Paul

Hi Paul,

That's a great detailed response! I'll try it at the weekend. Thanks very much.

Cheers,

Kevin

Hi Paul,

Had bother downloading Meshlab and UVMapper didn't seem to work for me, however, Accutrans 3D worked straight out of the box. It's great to finally be able to import fully textured models into Vue!

I think I'll need to play around with the settings a bit though as I seemed to lose a bit of resolution between CB Modeler Pro and Accutrans 3D.

This is a major step forward. Thanks VERY much for the advice.

Cheers,

Kevin

You're welcome, glad it worked. :)
And thanks to you for reminding me of CB modeler, there is more than meets the eye in this little app.
cheers

paul